<?xml version="1.1" encoding="utf-8"?>
<article xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="http://jats.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/1.1/xsd/JATS-journalpublishing1-mathml3.xsd" dtd-version="1.1" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">IJGPN</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>International Journal of General Practice Nursing</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn>2981-9415</issn><eissn>2981-9423</eissn><publisher><publisher-name>Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.26689/ijgpn.v3iSpecial.13942</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Article</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title>A Survey on BMI, Obesity Cognition, and Weight Loss Behaviors among College Students in a Certain University</title><url>https://artdesignp.com/journal/IJGPN/3/0/10.26689/ijgpn.v3iSpecial.13942</url><author>ZhongYunting,LiJing</author><pub-date pub-type="publication-year"><year>2025</year></pub-date><volume>3</volume><issue>0</issue><history><date date-type="pub"><published-time>2025-12-31</published-time></date></history><abstract>Objective: To investigate the BMI distribution, obesity cognition, and weight loss behaviors of college students in a certain university, and explore the correlation between obesity cognition and weight loss behaviors, so as to provide a basis for college health education. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by convenience sampling among 206 college students of different grades, genders, and majors. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect data on basic information, obesity cognition, and weight loss behaviors. SPSS software was applied for statistical analysis, including chi-square tests and correlation analysis. Results: Among the 206 subjects, 51.46% (106 cases) had normal BMI, with 16.50% emaciated, 15.53% overweight, and 16.50% obese. Gender differences in BMI were significant: the male overweight rate was 27.91%, while the female obesity rate was 19.17% and emaciation rate was 25%. The overall rate of obesity cognitive bias was 42.72%, with a significant gender difference (χ² = 6.343, P = 0.042). Self-assessed weight was positively correlated with actual BMI (r = 0.372, P &amp;lt; 0.01) and obesity cognitive bias (r = 0.325, P &amp;lt; 0.01). Significant differences were found in weight loss methods among different obesity cognitive groups (χ² = 16.689, P = 0.034) and BMI groups (χ² = 26.514, P = 0.009). Knowledge accuracy varied significantly with obesity cognitive bias (χ² = 21.764, P = 0.001). Conclusion: College students in this university have prominent BMI abnormalities and widespread obesity cognitive bias, with insufficient nutritional knowledge and unscientific weight loss behaviors. Targeted gender-specific health education interventions are recommended to correct cognitive bias and establish healthy weight concepts.</abstract><keywords/></article-meta></front><body/><back><ref-list><ref id="B1" content-type="article"><label>1</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Staff Reporter, 2024, What the WHO Says About Obesity. Everyone’s Health, (08): 8.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B2" content-type="article"><label>2</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Jiménez-Limas K, Miranda-Barrera VA, Muñoz-Díaz KF, et al., 2022, Body Dissatisfaction, Distorted Body Image and Disordered Eating Behaviors in University Students: An Analysis from 2017—2022. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18): 11482–11482.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B3" content-type="article"><label>3</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Ramseyer Winter V, Gillen MM, Cahill L, et al., 2019, Body Appreciation, Anxiety, and Depression among a Racially Diverse Sample of Women. Journal of Health Psychology, 24(11): 1517–1525.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B4" content-type="article"><label>4</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Su XL, 2022, Analysis of Current Situation and Influencing Factors of Weight Cognition Among College Students, dissertation, Jinan University.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B5" content-type="article"><label>5</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Wang Y, Yang W D, Zeng Y, et al., 2020, Predictive Effect of Body Image Disturbance on Dieting Behavior Among Female College Students in Chongqing. Chinese Journal of School Health, 41(08): 1151–1154.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B6" content-type="article"><label>6</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Wang WZ, 2023, Indirect Effect of Idealized Body Images on Social Media on Women’s Self-Esteem: Moderating Effect of BMI and Weight Perception, dissertation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B7" content-type="article"><label>7</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Patte KA, Livermore M, Qian W, et al., 2021, Do Weight Perception and Bullying Victimization Account for Links between Weight Status and Mental Health among Adolescents? BMC Public Health, 21: 1062.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B8" content-type="article"><label>8</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Joeng EH, Lee IS, 2018, Multilevel Analysis of Factors Associated with Subjective Weight Perception Among Normal Body Weight Adolescents Based on the 2017 Korean Youth’s Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS). Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing, 29(4): 476.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B9" content-type="article"><label>9</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Tuffa TA, Gebreyesus SH, Endris BS, et al., 2020, Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors among Ethiopian Female Adolescents. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(4): 525–532.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B10" content-type="article"><label>10</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Bassett-Gunter R, McEwan D, Kamarhie A, 2017, Physical Activity and Body Image Among Men and Boys: A Meta-Analysis. Body Image, 22(9): 114–128.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B11" content-type="article"><label>11</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Sikorski C, Spahlholz J, Hartlev M, et al., 2016, Weight-Based Discrimination: An Ubiquitous Phenomenon? International Journal of Obesity, 40(2): 333–337.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B12" content-type="article"><label>12</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Nutter S, Ireland A, Alberga AS, et al., 2019, Weight Bias in Educational Settings: A Systematic Review. Current Obesity Reports, 8: 185–200.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B13" content-type="article"><label>13</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>McComb SE, Mills JS, 2022, The Effect of Physical Appearance Perfectionism and Social Comparison to Thin-, Slim-Thick-, and Fit-Ideal Instagram Imagery on Young Women’s Body Image. Body Image, 40: 165–175.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B14" content-type="article"><label>14</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Lei YH, 2020, Study on the Relationship Between Nutritional Knowledge, Body Image and Low Body Weight Among Female College Students, dissertation, Wuhan University of Science and Technology.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B15" content-type="article"><label>15</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Li YM, 2024, Study on Body Stereotypes of College Students and Their Intervention, dissertation, Guangzhou University.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B16" content-type="article"><label>16</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Liu FL, Zhang L, Chen C, et al., 2017, Relationship Between False Weight Perception and Weight Loss Behaviors Among Middle School Students in Xicheng District, Beijing. Chinese Journal of School Health, 38(09): 1391–1394.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B17" content-type="article"><label>17</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>He MJ, Yang SY, Wang Y, et al., 2019, Survey on Self-Perception of Body Shape and Weight Loss Among College Students in a University in Hangzhou. Health Education and Health Promotion, 14(05): 417–419.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B18" content-type="article"><label>18</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Wang SJ, Su LN, 2024, Visual Analysis of Health Literacy in China from 2013 to 2023. Medical Information, 37(17): 17–22.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B19" content-type="article"><label>19</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Guo HJ, Huang YW, Guo ZY, et al., 2025, Study on the Willingness and Influencing Factors of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Health Management Behaviors Among Parents of Children Aged 0–3 Years Based on Social Cognitive Theory. Chinese Rural Health Service Administration, 45(03): 221–228 + 161.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B20" content-type="article"><label>20</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Huang CJ, 2020, Analysis of Influencing Factors of Self-Management Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) in Middle-Aged and Young Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Obesity, dissertation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref><ref id="B21" content-type="article"><label>21</label><element-citation publication-type="journal"><p>Li T, 2016, Investigation on the Correlation Between Nutritional Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) and BMI Among Female Students in Higher Vocational Colleges in Western Shandong, dissertation, Shandong University.</p><pub-id pub-id-type="doi"/></element-citation></ref></ref-list></back></article>
